Former NBA guard Malik Beasley has been indicted on federal charges for his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme, according to court documents unsealed on June 24. Prosecutors contend that Beasley intentionally altered his performance in games to allow bettors to profit from prop wagers.
Beasley, along with former NBA player Ed Davis, current player agent Paolo Zamorano, and three other individuals, faces charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, sports bribery, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of New York.
The alleged scheme reportedly took place between December 2023 and April 2024, when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Prosecutors claim that co-conspirators used inside information about Beasley's intended on-court performance to place profitable bets.
"Bribery and insider betting schemes like this one involving former NBA players and a current NBA player agent who exploited inside NBA information for profit erode the integrity of American sports and victimize the sports-watching public," U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. stated.
According to the indictment, specific games were targeted. Ahead of a Jan. 26, 2024, game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Beasley allegedly informed Davis of his intention to underperform in rebounds. Wagers totaling thousands of dollars were then reportedly placed on Beasley's "under rebounds" prop bet. Beasley finished that game with 3 rebounds, falling short of the betting line.
Similar allegations are made concerning games against the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 27 and the Los Angeles Clippers on March 10. In these instances, prosecutors allege Beasley provided advance information regarding his planned point and rebound totals.
As of Monday, four of the defendants had been arrested, with arraignments scheduled in Brooklyn. Beasley and Zamorano were not in custody, though Beasley's attorney indicated he was coordinating a voluntary surrender. Beasley, 29, last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season for the Detroit Pistons, averaging 16.3 points per game. He has not played in the league since the gambling investigations surfaced. Ed Davis last played in the NBA in 2022 after a 12-year career.